JINNAH, the York-based Asian restaurant group, is expanding again with the opening tonight of the new 'Spice Club' in Monkgate.

The award-winning chain already operates restaurants at Flaxton, Haxby, Micklegate and the Viceroy of India, also in Monkgate, as well as takeaways and restaurants in Harrogate and a cash and carry operation in Bradford.

The new Monkgate venue has 55 covers, and will bring the number of sites in the Jinnah chain to six restaurants and two takeaways, boosting turnover of the family owned group to around £3.5million.

Saleem Akhtar, who heads Jinnah, said: "We have been in York for 15 years, and our customers here have been very loyal, so another venue in a prime position makes perfect sense.

"As well as benefiting from the great tourist trade, our regulars are curry connoisseurs, and it is great to be able to cater for people who really know their food, and want to be adventurous with their curries."

Updated: 11:20 Monday, February 13, 2006